English / Australia
Do not lick this book
Ben-Barak, Idan
(text)
Frost, Julian
(illus.)
Rundgren, Linnea
(photos)
Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin, 2017. – [43] p.
ISBN 978-1-76029-305-5
Microorganism | Exploration | Science | Picture book
Reading age: 4+
White Ravens issue: 2018
This square picture book stars a gang of very friendly talking microbes – Min, Rae, Dennis, Jake, and their friends – who are eager to explore their surroundings. In a mix of facts and fictitious elements, the author-illustrator-photographer team use an interactive story, plus clear, cartoon-like illustrations and close-up microscope photographs to invite children on a tour of ordinary locations distorted: When mega-magnified, a book page evolves into a jungle, a child’s tooth turns into a craggy mountain range, and the fabric of a T-shirt resembles a big bowl of green spaghetti. The common denominator of all these places is that they are inhabited by millions of minute germs. Breaking down complicated scientific details into child-friendly information, which is revealed through a silly and partly revolting story, this book will ignite children’s curiosity about the world of bacteria. This engaging science experience for small readers was shortlisted for the Eve Pownall Award 2018.